A cheesy weekend

International cheese guru Neil Willman has a cheesemaking workshop at Dairy Flat on the weekend of November 28 and 29.

Mr Willman says cheese runs in his veins. In 1829 his great-great-grandfather James was convicted for theft of a cheese and sentenced to seven years in Australia’s penal colony.

Master judge of the New Zealand Cheese Awards for the past two years, Mr Willman is sharing his cheese knowledge and passion in a series of one-day workshops aimed at people wanting to make cheese at home.

Students turn two litres of milk each into a range of cheeses such as brie, feta, ricotta, quarg and halloumi and Greek-style yoghurt under Mr Willman’s instruction, then take it home to mature until it’s ready to eat.

The cheese can be made with a minimum of equipment in a domestic kitchen, and students are frequently surprised how easy it is to do successfully.

The New Zealand Cheese School, which is assisting with the workshops, also offers longer courses for those more serious about the technical side of cheesemaking, such as people already in the specialty cheese industry, those wanting to set up a cheesemaking business, or home cheesemakers wanting more skills.

The school was established in early 2008 by Sue Arthur of Whangarei.

Mr Willman is not only an international judge, but now trains cheese judges and cheesemakers, and in between he’s touring the world tasting cheese.

It’s a rare opportunity to learn from an expert.

The Dairy Flat course is in the Environment Room, Redvale Landfill, Landfill Access Rd, off State Highway 17, five minutes from the northern motorway. Exit at Silverdale or Albany.

Saturday, November 28, covers brie, ricotta and quarg, while Sunday November 29 features halloumi, feta and Greek-style yoghurt, both running from 9am to 3.30pm.

Starter cultures, rennet and books are for sale.

The course costs $199, which includes tuition and course notes, morning and afternoon tea, and cheese tasting.

Bring your lunch and an apron if you have one.

For more information call (07) 883-8238 or visit www.newzealandcheeseschool.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News